“The problem is,” Wilson said, “Secretary Verbeck is either lying to me or someone is lying to her. There is no automated mother ship. The submarine she directed me to sink is Jimmy Carter. Additionally, Commander Gallagher has informed me that the UUV could not possibly have sunk Stethem. None of the UUVs have their weapon systems activated.”

Christine leaned back in her chair as she recalled the Situation Room meeting. Secretary Verbeck had been almost positive that the UUV had sunk Stethem. If it hadn’t, the alternative was that Stethem had been attacked by Iran. It was possible that Verbeck’s assessment had simply been wrong, but why didn’t she know the UUV was unarmed and that the mother ship was actually Jimmy Carter?

“I have to agree,” Christine said. “Someone is either incredibly misinformed or lying. The question is, which scenario are we dealing with? If someone is lying, that’s an investigation-worthy issue. And if Verbeck is the one doing the lying, the implications are immense.”

“Gallaher and I agree completely. The issue appears to be that the UUV in question may have intercepted sensitive data that someone wants destroyed. Now that it’s docked with its mother ship, Jimmy Carter has been added to the hit list.”

“I concur with your assessment,” Christine said. “Regarding this data, can you send it directly to the CIA, bypassing the Pentagon?”

Wilson turned to Gallagher, who nodded. “We can,” he said. “It’s a backup data-transmission method, so we already have the protocols.”

“Do that right away, and we’ll examine the information. How long will it take to transmit the data?”

“Not long,” Gallagher replied. “You’ll have everything that was collected by the UUV during its last run by midnight, your time.”

“Regarding the SecNav,” Wilson said, “we were hoping you could look into the matter. The bottom line is that we don’t know if we can trust Secretary Verbeck, and we need that issue resolved as soon as possible.”

“I understand,” Christine said. “I’ll see what I can do and get back to you. What are your plans in the meantime?”

“I’ll return to Michigan and inform Verbeck that I’m still searching for the UUV and mother ship. I’ll stay in that holding pattern until I hear from you, and coordinate with Commander Gallagher once the way forward becomes clear.”

The videocon wrapped up shortly thereafter and the display went black.

Christine stared at the blank screen as she evaluated the unusual revelations and their portent. Determining whether Verbeck was innocent or complicit would be a delicate issue. The CIA would be investigating one of the president’s cabinet members. This was something she would have to discuss with the president before proceeding.

But first, there was something else she wanted to look into. The issue of what — and who — had sunk Stethem.

* * *

After returning to the seventh floor, Christine stopped by Tracey McFarland’s office.

She informed McFarland, “I just had a secure VTC with the Commanding Officer of USS Jimmy Carter. There’s an issue we need to look into, most likely pertaining to communication intercepts made by one of its UUVs. I’m having the data sent directly here instead of to the Pentagon. I want you to get working on it right away. Identify any sensitive information someone would want deleted, enough to sink one of our own submarines to do so.”

A perplexed look formed on McFarland’s face. “Sink one of our own submarines?”

Christine quickly explained things, then provided instructions. “Review the UUV data Jimmy Carter is transmitting tonight; look for anything that might spur the SecNav or someone close to her to delete that data. Set up a meeting tomorrow afternoon to review whatever you find, and we’ll pull Bryant and Rolow into the loop.

“Also, what’s the status of ONI’s investigation into the Stethem sinking?”

McFarland replied, “They sent a submersible down to examine the damage and look for pieces of the torpedo on the ocean floor. They’re analyzing the information now.”

Christine checked her watch. It was too late today, but first thing tomorrow on her agenda would be a trip to the Office of Naval Intelligence.

31

SUITLAND, MARYLAND

Located on the forty-two-acre compound of the National Maritime Intelligence Center, a short drive from the White House, is the headquarters of the Office of Naval Intelligence, the United States’ oldest intelligence agency. Tasked with maintaining a decisive information advantage over America’s potential adversaries, ONI’s focus on naval weapons and technology was why Christine O’Connor had scheduled this morning’s meeting.